Means for delivering an object to a moving vehicle



G. G. GLENN March 7, 1950 MEANS FOR DELIVERING AN OBJECT TO A MOVING VEHICLE Filed Dec. 13, 1945 INVENTOR. 660127; 6: 6192272 Patented Mar. 7, 1950 MEANS FOR DELIVERING AN OBJECT TO A MOVING VEHICLE George G. Glenn, Maywood, Califi, assignor to A. F. Glenn Application December 13, 1945, Serial No. 634,841

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a message delivery device adapted to be held by a station agent or other person standing beside a railroad track for delivering a message to the engineer, crewman or conductor on a moving train.

More specifically, the invention relates to a message delivery device particularly adapted for use at night, or in the dark, and which will enable the message carried thereby to be delivered with a, maximum of safety to both the person holding the delivery device and the person on the train Who removes the message from the delivery device.

The present message delivery device constitutes an improvement over prior train message delivery devices in that it includes a frame embodying light-transmiting message supporting elements; a light source; and means on said light source for detachably securing said frame to said light source, said message supporting elements being adapted to be rendered luminous by the light from said light source, thus making it possible for the person on the moving train who is to receive the message to not only clearly see the message that is to be picked up in the darkness, but to also clearly see the outline of the message carrying frame itself, so that the hand or arm of said person will not be injured by inadvertent impact against the message delivery device during the act of removing the message therefrom while the train is rapidly moving past said device.

Accordingly, the principal object of the invention is to provide a message delivery device including a message carrying frame that can be clearly seen in the dark, and which will thereby provide a maximum degree of safety for both the person holding the message delivery device and the person on the rapidly moving train who removes the message from said message delivery device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a light-transmitting message carrying frame adapted to be rendered luminous by any conventional or suitable light source, such as a conventional flashlight or brakeman's electric lantern.

Another object of the invention is to provide a luminous message supporting frame that can be readily detached from its associated light source after the message carried by said frame has been delivered to, say, the engineer, in order to permit a similar message supporting frame to be quickly substituted therefor for delivering a second message to, say, a brakeman, on the same train.

Another object of the invention is to provide a message supporting frame and means for detachably securing the same to a light source arranged so that said light source can be used for its normal intended functions when said message supporting frame is detached therefrom.

. A further object of the invention is to provide amessage delivery device from which the message can be removed with deliberate certainty in the dark by a person on a moving train, thereby eliminating the waste of time incident to stopping of the train and backing up to pick up a missed message, and which waste of time occurs quite often with prior message delivery devices due to the failure of persons on moving trains to clearly see such message delivery devices.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a message delivery device that is light in weight, extremely simple in construction, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a message delivery device including a message carrying or supporting frame embodying the principles of the present invention illustrated in association with a conventional flashlight modified slightl to enable it to illuminate and serve as a support for said frame;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the message carrying or supporting frame shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a conventional electric brakemanslantern modified slightly to enable it to support and illuminate the present message supporting frame; and

Figs. 6, '7 and 8 illustrate a modified message supporting frame and certain stages in the fabrication thereof.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the present message delivery device comprises a, message carrying frame I, and any suitable light source such as a conventional flashlight 2 adapted to serve as a support for said frame. As will be apparent from Fig. 2, the flashlight 2 includes a casing portion 3 provided with threads 4. A concave reflector 5 is disposed within the easing 3 in surrounding relation to a conventional flashlight bulb 6. The conventional flashlight 2 .is modified for the purposes of the present invention only to the extent that the usual glass lens (not shown) for the reflector 5 is omitted and an aluminum holder or socket l substituted in lieu thereof.

The holder I is disposed in concentric relation to the bulb 6 and includes a tubular or cylindrical portion 8 having an annular flange 9 at its lower end extending laterally therefrom. The reflector 5 has a peripheral lip 5 whose lower surface en gages the upper edge ID of the casing portion 3, and the flange 9 of the holder or socket 1 rests upon the upper surface of said lip. An annular, threaded sheet metal cap member ll (normally employed to hold the usual glass lens in place) is arranged to engage the upper surface of the flange 9 to clamp it against the lip 5 of the reflector 5 to maintain both the reflector 5 and the holder 1 in assembled relation with the flashlight 2. The flashlight 2 also includes batteries (not shown) and a conventional switch I2 for controlling the supply of current to the bulb 6.

The message carrying frame I is constructed so that it can be quickly and easily attached to, and detached from. the holder or socket I. Thus, the message carrying frame I includes a cylindrical sleeve in the form of a, short length of aluminum tubing I3 of such diameter that it has a close, sliding fit in the cylindrical portion 8 of the holder 1. Arms or rods I4 and I5 have the lower end thereof arranged parallel and disposedwithin the sleeve I3 with the extremities thereof preferably terminating short of the lower end of said sleeve. The arms I4 and I5 diverge above the tubular sleeve I3 on radii about 45 degrees, as best illustrated in Fig. 1. The arms I4 and I5 are made of a material that will transmit light waves longitudinally thereof and diffuse some light laterally and, hence, can readily be rendered luminous so that they will be clearly visible in the dark. There are commercially available and well known plastic or non-metallic materials that have been found to be highly satisfactory for the purposes of the present invention.

In one operative form of the invention, the sleeve I3 is about four inches long and has an internal diameter of three-fourths of an inch and the arms I4 and I5 are made of solid, clear or colorless rods about twenty inches long and onehalf inch in diameter. At least the lower end portions of the arms or rods I4 and I5 are heated in water to soften the same and are then subjected to transverse pressure to alter the same from their true cylindrical cross-section to a somewhat oval cross-section in order to be snugly received within the sleeve member I3, as shown in Fig. 4. The plastic arms I4 and I5 are also bent while it: the heated condition so that when they cool they take a permanent set and diverge on an angle of about 45 degrees and jointly simulate the letter Y.

The lower ends of the arms I4 and I5 normally fit tightly within the sleeve I3. However, the arms I4 and I5 are positively retained in assembled relation with the sleeve I3 by a bolt I6 which extends diametrically through said sleeve and 5 sides of the sleeve I3, the bolt IB passing through the clasp elements I8, through thesleeve I3, and through the opening I! formed in-the adjacent faces of the arms I4 and I5, as best shown in Fig. 4.. .A nut I9, threaded upon the bolt IE, retains the parts in assembled .relation.

Each of the arms I4 and I5 is provided with a notch 20 at its upper extremity adapted to receive a portion of a cord 2| therein. The cord 2 I, in use, is fashioned into a loop or endless band having the. general shape of an inverted triangle with the sides thereof substantially conforming to the l -shape assumed by the portions of the arms I4 and I5 above the sleeve I3. The triangular loop 2I includes a base portion 22 bridging the gap between the spaced outer ends of the arms I4 and I5 and to which portion a paper 23 having a message written or printedthereon issecured in any suitable manner. Theiloop 2.! further includes a, portion 24 at its .apex which is adapted to he slipped under the upper end of one of the clasp elements I8 for detachably retaining said loop upon the frame. I.

When a message 23 is to be delivered to a person on an approaching train, the message is securedto the loop 2 I and the loop is mounted upon the frame I in the relation above described. The sleeve I3 is inserted into the holder I to the depth permitted bythe engagement of the lower ends 25 of the clasps I8 with the upper edge of the cylindrical portion 8 of said holder, as shown in Fig. 2. The lower end of the sleeve I3 may be beveled as indicated at.26 to facilitate such insertion. Also, the switch I2 may be actuated to light the bulb G'to aid mounting of the sleeve I3 in the holder 'I', particularly in the dark. The mounting of the frame I u'poh'the flashlight 2 thus positions the lower end faces of the arms l4 and IS in confronting relation to the bulb 6. Hence, when the b'ulb'fi is lit, light will be transmitt/ed longitudinally through'the arms I4 and I5 causing them to becomeluminous and to glow with a whitish light. The arms'M'and I5 thus provide a luminous v above the sleeve I3 visible for a considerable distance in the dark.

In actual use, the agent or person delivering the message holds the message delivery device up and assumes a position beside the track sufficiently close to enable the person on the train who is to receive the message to extend his arm so that his hand will pass between the arms I4 and I5 providing the luminous V, with the result that the loop 2! and its attached message 23 can thus be removed from the frame Iwith deliberate certainty. The luminous character of the arms I4 and I5 makes it possible for the person receiving the message to so coordinate and time the movements of his hand and arm as to avoid impact with the message delivery device. This constitutes an important safety feature over prior message delivery devices inasmuch as it has not been uncommon heretofore for brakernen to seriously injure a hand by striking it against such device in attempting 'to remove a message therefrom, and, in fact, in some instances the hand of the brakeman has missed the message delivery device altogether and struck the person holding the device, thereby causing serious injury to both persons.

It will be understood that more than one message may be attached to the loop 2 I, or if separate messages are to be delivered to the engineer at the front of the train and the brakeman at the rear of the same train, the messages may be respectively tied to different loops and mounted upon s'eparate'message supporting frames I, and these frames inserted in succession in the holder or socket "I, the sliding fit between the sleeve I3 and 'said holder'or socket making it possible to readily detach 'one f'ra'me'after' the loop and message have been removed therefrom and to quickly attach a second frame carrying another loop and message.

Fig. 5 illustrates a conventional form of brakemans lantern 38'including a plain lamp bulb BI and a two-way switch 32. The lantern 30 is modified to the extent that -a holder 'or Socket 1* is mounted upon one end thereof in any suitable manner in concentric relation with the lamp bulb 3I. The holder l is adapted to slidably receive the tubular sleeve I3 of the message supporting frame I, in the same manner asthe holder 1. A secon'dbulbjlfi, which .isusually red, is shown disposed inits normal positionand is illuminated in accordance with. the, direction of actuation of the two-way switch Fig. 8 illustrates a message supporting frame 33 which is of even simpler construction than that shown in Figs. 1 to 4. Thus, instead of using the two small bars I4 and I5, a single, solid bar 34 (Figs. 6 and 7) of Lucite or any other suitable material, is employed. The bar 34 has such external diameter 6%") as to snugly fit into a cylindrical sleeve 35 (Fig. 8) similar to the cylindrical sleeve iii. In fabricating the message supporting frame 33, the upper end of the bar 34 is first provided with a transverse notch 36 extending completely across the end face thereof (as shown in Fig. 6). A thin slot 31 (Fig. 7) is next cut into the bar 34 from the notched end thereof in a plane perpendicular to the notch 36. The slot 31 terminates at a point 38 spaced about four inches from the lower end of said bar to provide arms 39 and 49. The edges of the arms 39 and 10 bordering the slot 31 are preferably rounded or smoothed to remove all sharp corners. At least the lower portion of the bar 34 is then heated in water to soften the same and the arms 39 and 40 are spread apart so that they diverge on an angle of about 45 degrees. Upon cooling of the bar 34, the same assumes a permanent Y shape, as shown in Fig. 8. The sleeve 35 and at least one clasp Hi are then secured to the lower end of the bar 34 by a bolt [9 It will be understood that the message carrying loop 21 can be extended through the notches 36 in the arms 39 and 40 and a portion thereof inserted under the upper end of the clasp l8 to support a message in a manner similar to that described in connection with the supporting frame 1 shown in Fig. 1. It will also be understood that the sleeve 35 is adapted to be received in either the holder 1 or the holder I in the same manner as the sleeve l3 to mount the frame 33 upon a light source, and that in use the arms 39 and 49 will appear as a luminous V above the sleeve 35.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that when the message supporting frame is detached from either the flashlight 2 or the lantern 30, these light sources may be employed for their normal intended use.

While the present delivery device has been described in connection with the delivery of messages to moving trains, it will be understood that said device is not limited to such use and may be employed for delivering any object, such as a small article; and further, that the delivery may be made to moving vehicles other than trains, such as motor vehicles, boats, etc.

It will be further understood that while a conventional flashlight and brakemans lantern have been illustrated herein as constituting suitable light sources, the luminous message supporting frame disclosed herein can be used with other suitable types of light sources. However, it is important that the light source not be too strong, otherwise an undesirable glare may result, producing a blinding effect which is incompatible with safety. I

It will be further understood that various changes may be made in the details and materials employed in the construction of the message supporting frames I and 33, and in the socket or holder means I and I for detachably mounting the same upon a light source, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. An object delivery device comprising a pair of members each having the property of transmitting light longitudinally, said members having diverging portions and coextensive portions, said pair of members comprising a, Y-shaped frame in which the diverging portions comprise the arms and the coextensive portions comprise the stem, said latter portions having contiguous faces, a source of light directed to illuminate the end of the stem whereby light is transmitted longitudinally along the stem and along the diverging arms to thereby illuminate the frame, a sleeve receptive of the stem, means extending transversely through the sleeve and in the plane common to the mentioned contiguous faces for securing the frame to the sleeve, said means thereby being disposed other than in the path of light transmitted through the coextensive portions of the stem, a holder for the light source, and means separably connecting said holder and the sleeve.

2. An object delivery device comprising a pair of members each having the property of transmitting light longitudinally, said members having diverging portions and coextensive portions, said pair of members comprising a Y-shaped frame in which the diverging portions comprise the arms and the coextensive portions comprise the stem, said latter portions having contiguous faces, a source of light directed to illuminate the end of the stem whereby light is transmitted longitudinally along the stem and along the diverging arms to thereby illuminate the frame, a sleeve receptive of the stem, means comprising a single bolt extending transversely through the sleeve and in the plane common to the mentioned contiguous faces for securing the frame to the sleeve, said means thereby being disposed other than in the path of light transmitted through the coextensive portions of the stem, a holder for the light source, and means separably connecting said holder and the sleeve.

3. An object delivery device comprising a pair of members each having the property of transmitting light longitudinally, said members having diverging portions and coextensive portions, said pair of members comprising a Y-shaped frame in which the diverging portions comprise the arms and the coextensive portions comprise the stern, said latter portions having contiguous faces, a source of light directed to illuminate the end of the stem whereby light is transmitted longitudinally along the stern and along the diverging arms to thereby illuminate the frame, a sleeve receptive of the stem, a message-carrying loop extending across the diverged end of the arms and having a portion extending to and alongside of the sleeve, a clip for separably engaging said loop portion, means extending transversely through the clip and sleeve and in the plane common to the mentioned contiguous faces for securing the frame and clip to the sleeve, said means thereby being disposed other than in the path of light transmitted to the coextensive portions of the stem, a holder for the light source, and means separably connecting the holder and the sleeve.

GEORGE G. GLENN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 798,092 Craig Aug. 29, 1905 1,902,669 Shepherd Mar. 21, 1933 1,965,865 Thompson July 10, 1934 2,214,392 Whipple Sept. 10, 1940 2,376,448 Neugass May 22, 1945 

